Sunday, April 19, 2015

Week 14-15 Blog

After reading the scenarios and
considering the school districts I work for and for the districts I have worked
for in the past I believe that each scenario will be handled a little different
at each school district.The outcomes of
each scenario, I believe, will vary depending on the policies districts have in
place as well as the administrative leadership. The relationship with the board
of education members is very important to district leaders.

School districts who are on the cutting edge of technology will be able to
handle these changes and scenarios better. These districts will be able to move
forward with changes at a more rapid pace as they will have the agility to make the
changes needed. However, that is not to say they will not have challenges to
contend with as the changes take place. District Superintendents have
challenging jobs. As the school leader the Superintendent needs to be well
connected to all stakeholders including: teachers,
school board members, unions, parents, business community, and legislators.

One of the changes our school
district is facing is the change in population. The shift in population plays a
major role or factor in the district’s funding. Some districts might not be
facing a lower enrollment, but are seeing new families or even English as a
second language students enroll in their school.However, lower enrollment means less dollars,
which in turn means a short fall of funding.Teachers and programs are cut, and the need to purchase new technology
is not top priority.

One answer to help schools provide
the services they need to help their students be successful is the option to
implement online learning.I think
online learning is still in a slow mode. As more and more teachers expand their
knowledge and experience with online learning will will see an increase in the momentum of online learning. Eventually, we will see a rapid change in the learning environment.

8 comments:

Student population is important to obtain per pupil funding, but school districts much be able to provide technology learning for students today. What I know is that school administrations must implement programs and services to meet the needs of 21st century students. There will always be students who are not attracted to the standard teaching formats but need other types of learning formats to enhance their learning. I believe that as schools and educators expand their knowledge with technology, they will be able to meet the new challenges of education and attracting more students online.

I understand and agree with the need to implement programs and services to meet the needs of the 21st century student. I recognize the cost of implementing the technology as I worked on a school Bond campaign, which successfully passed. One problem is the cost, but also the maintenance and replacement as new technology is developed. These are two of the many challenges schools are facing. At what point do schools begin to compete with each other and are only exchanging student population.

It seems when bonds are introduced the public is very supportive, but they never show that they are using advance technology just what is functional.We need to be able to install better replacement technology for our students if we want them to be 21st century competitive.

That is true, Blaire. I think some schools are lacking when it comes time to think about the future or cutting edge technology needed. Of course it depends on the school district leaders about how they showcase the need for advanced equipment. I think most teachers in my district and in all districts are excited to implement new technology when they are given the training on how to implement it.

In my school district we have a School District Foundation that holds annual fundraisers and collects donations to raise money for extra technology needs. Teachers write grants and are awarded the funds to purchase the new items they are going to use in the classrooms. Each year they have a showcase event and talk about the items received from the grants. Some of the students attend and talk about what they have learned from using the new technology. It is amazing to hear how the technology changes the classroom or school.

The bond should help with the implementing, the plan should be a layout of updates that circle around to update and maintain the technology. It doesn't all need to happen at once nor does it need to be maintained in the same manner each year. Different technology different needs. Maybe less classroom material need will help with funding and maintenance.